“This really is his second home,” Lavania said softly.
“Yes, it is.” It was surreal watching him, the son of a Norse god eating cold chili in my kitchen. Then I noticed Lavania in front of the mirror waiting for the portal to form. I wanted to tell her to use the door. Mom thought nothing of using portals, but Dad could get spooked by people appearing or disappearing suddenly. Mrs. Rutledge from across the street also had more time on her hands than any of the housewives in the cul-de-sac. She liked nothing better than to watch people and gossip. She’d notice if someone was at our house one second and the next at Torin’s without crossing our yards.
Lavania waved and disappeared through the portal. I waited until the mirror was whole again before joining Eirik.
“So, do I bow in humility,” I bowed, “curtsey out of respect,” I curtsied, “or grovel every time I see you?” I grabbed his hand and rained kisses on his knuckles.
“Shut up.” He yanked his hand from mine, but he was smiling.
“You really should warm that.” I pointed at the chili.
He stopped eating and glanced at me. “This, uh, wasn’t your dinner, was it?”
“No.” I plopped on a stool, leaned against the counter, and watched him shovel spoonful after spoonful of the mixture into his mouth. “So the Norns were right.”
“About?” he asked between scoops.
“Your life is in danger from this, uh, dark shadow.”
He shrugged. “Whatever.”
“Don’t say that. Maybe you should listen to them, Eirik. Keep an eye out for this thing after you.”
He laughed. “I’m not going to look over my shoulder because of something those three crones said. If the shadow, or whatever it is, wants a piece of me, let it come.”
That meant I’d have to do the watching and the worrying. “Do you really know who your mother is?”
He nodded. “Yep. I have Sari Seville. She might be standoffish and strict, but she has moments when she does something very, uh… What’s the word?”
“Mom-ish?”
He grinned. “Yeah, Mom-ish. Do you remember J.P and Kyle?”
“Fourth grade bullies. I hated them. I wonder what happened to them.”
“They probably ended up in juvee. They ganged up on me one summer. The next day, they both apologized and never bothered me again. Apparently, Mom paid their families a visit. Either she runed them or she put the fear of Hel in them. When you were in the hospital after the accident, she sat with your mother and got all of us drinks and sandwiches while we kept vigil. I’m talking about everyone who went to Torin’s party and came to the hospital with us.” He pointed his spoon at me. “That deserves the Mom-of-the-Year award.”
“Yes, it does.”
“And ‘mom number two’ is your mother. Hope you don’t mind sharing.”
I grinned. “I don’t.”
“Good.” He licked the spoon and got up to put the empty bowl in the sink. “She fills in for mine most of the time, so I’m good mom-wise.” He turned on the water and soaked the bowl.
He was so sweet. I gave my mother credit for that. His parents often traveled, leaving him with nannies when he was little and housekeepers when he became a teenager. My parents practically raised him.
He turned, leaned against the sink, and crossed his arms and legs. “So, why were you and the Valkyrie discussing me?”
He made it sound like Valkyrie was something vile. I guessed he was still ticked off at Torin for “stealing me” from him. “I saw her bow to you at school, so I got curious.”
He rolled his eyes. “Okay, start talking. I want to know everything.”
Leaving out the personal stuff, I told him everything that had happened from the day I saw runes on Andris to the attack during the meet. When I finished, Eirik stared at me with an unreadable expression.
“Say something,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “Torin is one lucky bastard.”
Was a lucky bastard. Now he was lower than a slug. Eirik sounded sad. I approached him, wishing I could ease his pain. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Hurting you. I didn’t mean to.”
He moved away from the counter and pushed his hands in the back pockets of his pants. Cloudy amber eyes studied me intently. “I thought we had something special, Raine.”
“We did. We do. Our friendship is special. It always will be.”
“But it’s nothing like what you and Torin have. I mean, he was willing to be a slave to evil Norns and Hel for you. How…” He blew out air and scowled. “How can I possibly compete with that?”
I sighed, my heart aching for him. If I could spare him I would. No matter how often I told myself it was over between Torin and me, I knew it was a lie. I was pissed at him, but my heart still belonged to him.
“I don’t want you to complete with him. I love both of you, just differently.”
Silence followed, his scowl deepening. When he pulled his hands from his pockets, reached up, tucked my hair away behind my ears, and cupped my face, I barely stopped myself from pulling back. Torin loved to do that.
“Are you absolutely sure about your feelings for him? I mean, if I were to kiss you right now, you wouldn’t be tempted to rip my clothes off and have your way with me?”
I stiffened then I saw through his cockiness. His pride was hurt, but he was doing his best to cover it up with half jokes. “My heartbeat would probably shoot off course because of a boost in oxytocin and dopamine.”
“In plain English, please,” he said, a smile tugging the corner of his lips.
“My eyes would dilate, my heart would beat harder, and I’d start panting like a cocker spaniel after chasing its tail.” He laughed. I went for the kill. “You’re an amazing kisser, and I’m only human.”
He grinned. “Am I really a good kisser?”
Now he was fishing for compliments. On a different day, I’d blow him off, but he was too emotionally fragile for me to play games. “Yes, you are, and there’s a girl out there—”
“No.” He stepped away from me. “I’m done dating.”
His feelings for Cora were strong. I’d seen it in his eyes. He just wasn’t ready to admit them. “Don’t say that.”
“I still have to figure out who I am, who my biological parents are. A ghost for a father and a nameless mother doesn’t exactly sound like something you want to share with a girlfriend.” He shook his head. “Besides, the first thing my mother told me after they’d finished explaining about Asgard and Valkyries was not to get involved with a Mortal.”
Sounded like something his mother would say. I did the math. The night after they’d talked to him, he’d kissed me. “So what were you doing with me?”
He rolled his eyes. “Like I was going to listen to them? I’d wanted to kiss you since the day I caught you changing. Unfortunately, my mother saw me watching you and one thing led to another.”
A few weeks later, they’d moved. I guessed that had been his mother’s way of making sure he didn’t become involved with me. It hadn’t stopped him. Hopefully, his need for answers about his parents wouldn’t interfere with his growing feelings for Cora or I’d have to play Cupid.
“I’m happy we talked,” I said.
He made a face. “I don’t know. I think you should make it up to me.”
“Anything. Just say it.”
“Make-out with me.” His expression changed, until he wore a lost puppy look. The corner of his mouth twitched. “It will mend my broken heart.”
He was such a goofball and a sucky liar. “Very funny. You need to go.”
“No making out?”
“In your dreams.”
He pretended to think about it. “Okay. I can work with that. So, what’s your plan to help Torin remember you?”
This was one subject I didn’t want to discuss with him. “I don’t have a plan.”
“Yeah, right. You always have a plan.”
“Not this time.”
After the painful encounter in the parking lot and seeing Lavania in his bedroom, I was a bit bruised.
“Do you want me to talk to him?” Eirik asked.
“No.” If anyone was going to rub Torin’s nose in what he was missing, it was going to be me. “So, are you going to train with me?”
He shuddered. “No way. I have things covered.” He walked toward the mirror in the living room.
“At least you’ve learned enough to open portals.”
“Yeah, lucky me.” He didn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he looked at the mirror and cursed.
“What?”
“I can’t open the portal again.”
“Why not? I thought you had things covered.”
He grimaced. “I, uh, forgot my stillo.”
“Your what?”
“The rune knife for writing on solid surfaces. I must have put it on my dresser.” He gave me a sheepish look. “Do you think you can give me a ride home?”
“Sure, your royal godliness.”
He shot me a mean look. “You keep that up and I’ll kiss you in front of Torin. See how you like it.”
Torin wouldn’t care. “Mrs. Rutledge is going to go crazy trying to figure out how she missed seeing you arrive, which reminds me. No more using this particular mirror.” I pointed at the living room mirror. “Or someone will give my father a heart attack.”
“What if I want to talk to you? Our tree is gone, so I can’t sneak up to your bedroom.”
“Use your cell phone.”
He rolled his eyes and pointed at his face then mine. “Face to face.”
“Skype or FaceTime? Fine,” I added when he made a face. “Use the mirror in my room.”
He grinned, his eyes twinkling.
“Text me first, you perv,” I added.
***
I tried not to glance at Torin’s place when we drove past, but bad habits were hard to break. Lights were on upstairs and downstairs, and music filtered through the open windows.
Eirik’s place was two minutes away, so I was back in no time. Andris’ presence drew my attention as I entered the cul-de-sac. He sat on the porch rail, a clear drink in a glass in his hand. His eyes followed me. He was one Valkyrie I’d been hoping to avoid. His girlfriend had joined evil Norns because of me, and I knew he didn’t particularly like me.
By the time I stepped out of the car, he was sauntering across my lawn. “What in Hel’s Mist are you doing?”
His combative tone didn’t surprise me. Was he wasted? He tended to be brutal when drunk. He was the one who’d told me the truth about Torin, that he was Valkyrie. He hadn’t been nice about it. His silver hair looked disheveled like he’d run his fingers through it several times, but his dark-brown eyes weren’t glazed.
“What do you want, Andris?”
He placed his hands on the car, neatly boxing me in. He leaned in, further invading my personal space. “You and Torin should be in his room with the door locked, making up for lost time. Why in Hel’s Mist are you with your Mortal boyfriend while Torin is over there,” he waved toward their place, “eating his heart out.”
That answered the question about his memories. They were intact. “Eating his heart out?”
“Skulking around. Morose. Whatever you want to call it. When he’s not hiding in his room, he snaps at everyone. I thought now that you’re back things would change. So I’ll ask again.” He peered at me. “Why are you with golden boy?”
If only he knew about Eirik. So Torin was miserable. Good. I hope it only got worse. “Do you mind moving aside?”
“I do,” he retorted.
I slipped under his arm. He could have easily stopped me. Valkyries moved faster than humans once they engaged the runes on their bodies.
“Talk to me, Raine. What happened? Is it because the Norns scrambled his memories?”
I blinked. “You know?”
“Of course I know. I live with the guy. I had to give him directions to the house and school. Have you talked to him about the two of you, your past?”
A delicious shiver shot up my spine. Only one thing had that effect on me. Torin. I glanced over my shoulder at his window. I couldn’t see him, but I knew he was watching us. Could he hear us? Even if he couldn’t, there was no way I would confide in Andris about my problems with Torin. We weren’t close like that.
I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Let me guess. While you were away, you lost interest in him, fell out of love, and decided to go back to that insipid Mortal,” Andris said.
His attitude hurt. “No.”
“Then what is it? It’s obvious Torin is still into you.”
“We agreed that the past…” my voice broke. I swallowed and lifted my chin. “The past doesn’t matter. I’ve moved on.”
Andris sneered. “You should be trying to help him remember, especially after everything he did for you. Even now, he’s still taking chances and sacrificing so much for you, and you, as usual, have no clue.”
Panic coursed through me. “What do you mean?”
“Why do you care? You’ve moved on.” He shook his head. “You’re an idiot. Torin is ten times the man Seville will ever be.” He stepped back then walked to the porch, picked up his empty glass, and threw me a glance full of loathing before disappearing inside their house.
I blew out air. Once again, I glanced up at Torin’s bedroom window. I still couldn’t see him even though I felt his presence. What did Andris mean? I hated riddles.
Sighing, I went inside my house and headed straight upstairs to change into comfortable clothes and start on my homework. Before I drew the curtains, I glanced across at Torin’s. This time I could see him.
He sat on his window, his nose buried in a book, the lock of hair falling across his forehead. “What things are you doing or sacrificing for me?” I asked.
He glanced up and cocked his eyebrows. Funny how he could convey so much with just a look. Right now, his expression said I was bugging him.
“Are you talking to me?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He smirked. “Can’t keep away from me, can you?”
My cheeks grew warm. “I’m not stalking you if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Looks like it from here. I’m sitting here, minding my own business and you—”
“Please, just answer the stupid question and I’ll leave you alone.”
He laughed. “I’m not sacrificing anything for you, Freckles. Andris is mistaken.”
So he’d overheard our conversation. Why would Andris imply something if it weren’t true? I’d hate for Torin to put his life in danger again without me knowing about it. He went back to his book, completely ignoring my presence.
I studied him, his chiseled cheekbones and the slope of his strong jaw. My heart squeezed. I missed looking into his teasing sapphire eyes, the wicked grin he’d switch on and off on a whim. I didn’t want to walk away from him. From us.
“You’re staring,” he said without looking up.
I wanted to ignore him, move away from the window, go downstairs, and lick my wounds, but my mouth tended to move faster than my brain.
“You wish.” He glanced up and smirked. “I’m sitting in my favorite place, and you just happen to be in my line of vision,” I added.
He cocked his eyebrows. “From that look in your eyes, you are plotting something. My untimely death perhaps?”
His previous words echoed in my head. …the girlish crush you think you have on me, it will pass.
“I’d have to care to contemplate hurting you, bonehead. You’re nothing to me.”
“You know what they say about people who protest too much.” The smile on his face broadened. “Just in case you were wondering, the only way to kill me, or any Valkyrie, is by decapitation, or, if you’re strong enough, reach inside my chest and yank out my heart.”
Then stomp on it. “Thanks for the information. Now go away.”
“No. You go away. I was here first.”
He gave me a slow, wicked smile.
This was my favorite spot, and he knew it. “You’re such a jerk.”
“You’ll have to do better than that to get a rise out of me, Freckles. Bye.” He blew me a kiss and wiggled his fingers.
If he wanted me to hate him, he was going to get his wish. I closed the curtains, but the book in his hand reminded me of another. One that meant a lot to him. Please, let it be there, so I can hurl it at his head.
I hurried across the room to my chest of drawers. Under my panties in the back of the top drawer, my hand closed on the envelope, and I sighed with relief. I opened it, reached inside, and removed the ancient book of runes Torin had given me weeks ago.
Instead of walking back to the window and throwing it at Torin, I brought it to my nose and inhaled. It smelled of leather and his intoxicating scent. For a brief moment, I clutched the book to my chest as though the simple gesture would bring him closer. Maybe if I returned it, he’d start believing me.
No, he just said I needed to come up with something better to get a rise out of him. I needed a better plan. The kind that would make him wish he never threw that girlish crush crap at me.
6. PEOPLE ARE SUCH TOOLS
“Where are you going, young lady?” Dad called out when I started out of the kitchen.
“Upstairs.” He opened his mouth, but I quickly added, “I know I’m not supposed to eat upstairs, but I have tons of homework. Please, Dad.”
“Okay, tomorrow…” he cocked his brow.
“I’ll eat downstairs. Promise. Love you.” I gave him a toothy grin and raced upstairs before he could detain me further.
In my room, I placed my plate on the side, picked up garlic toast, and nibbled on it as I continued with the math packet. I enjoyed math most of the time and didn’t mind learning new concepts when the teacher explained them, but trying to understand them on my own was a nightmare. I was tackling the second problem set when a knock resounded on my door.
“Can I come in, pumpkin?”
Immortals (Runes book 2) Page 7
